Technology & Research

VIROGEN recombinant HIV antigens contain the entire HIV protein. This means the recombinant antigen contains every region which can be recognized by different antibodies produced by different individuals. This reduces the risk of false negatives which can occur with synthetic peptides, which contain only a portion of the entire protein. If an individual infected with HIV makes antibodies to a part of the protein not included in the synthetic peptides, a false negative results.

To avoid this possibility, viral lysates have been used in assays. These lysates, because they are made by growing virus on cells, contain all the viral proteins. They may also contain live virus, and their composition varies from batch to batch.

Every VIROGEN recombinant protein contains a fusion partner which produces superior attachment to assay surfaces such as wells. For this reason, smaller amounts of recombinant protein will produce the same results as larger amounts of unfused protein. The choice of fusion partner prevents false positives, allowing superior adhesion without incorrect results.

VIROGEN offers you reagents which will prevent the false negatives seen with synthetic peptides, without the risk of live virus or batch variations posed by lysates. These reagents: HIV-1 gag, HIV-1 env and HIV-2 env are offered to the diagnostics and research markets, with competitive bulk pricing. All reagents are recombinant antigens and offer the following advantages:

High sensitivity and specificity

VIROGEN recombinant proteins have been shown to be more sensitive and specific than other proteins on the market. This assures you of better performance during assay.

Recognition of HIV type O

Many synthetic peptides fail to recongize type O, the most prevalent HIV strain in Europe and Africa. ViroGen recombinant proteins reliably report the presence of type O in serum.

Better adhesion to surfaces ? use less

Every recombinant protein contains a fusion partner which produces superior attachment to assay surfaces such as wells. For this reason, smaller amounts of recombinant protein will produce the same results as larger amounts of unfused protein. The choice of fusion partner prevents false positives, allowing superior adhesion without incorrect results.